All the ponies get trapped in a claw machine. Who do you attempt to save?

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

The princesses decide to have another friendship festival. The Storm King's death has convinced every pony that nothing can possibly go wrong with this one.

But it all goes to shit anyway. You've been invited to Canterlot, and upon arriving, you immediately discover that all the ponies at the festival have vanished. What you find instead is a portal. You figure you might as well step in; you're the only human there, so for all you know, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash could be setting up some elaborate prank with a nice surprise at the end.

On the other side of the portal, you find yourself in an arcade. And at the center is a claw machine.



Filled with pony plushes. All of which bare a remarkably similar likeness to the ponies you've been wanting to visit.

In all seriousness, there are no duplicates as you see here. There's only one plush representing each and every pony from Equestria that you can name. In addition, you notice what appears to be an even mix of NON-pony plushes, including characters from Nintendo properties, Disney characters, Hatchimals, and other creatures you've never even heard of.

It doesn't take long before you hear a mysterious voice addressing you over the arcade's intercom. The voice explains that the plushes you see in the machine in fact ARE your pony friends from Canterlot. This asshole has apparently cast a spell to abduct them all, turn them into stuffed toys and imprison them in this machine for you to rescue.... with the limited cash you have on hand. Once a pony has been removed from the pile and deposited into the prize chute, she will revert back to her normal, conscious pony self.

At first, you respond in anger and attempt to break the glass. But it's protected by a force field. Nothing you do to the machine will work. You even try to reach into the machine from the prize chute to grab a pony, but each time you do, you get a brief electrical shock. You then hear the voice threaten to have you arrested if you continue to try damaging his property or stealing the prizes. So it's clear that you'll only be able to save just a handful of ponies at most.

The voice also states that the arcade will be closing in ten minutes. Once those minutes are up, you'll be teleported right back to Equestria along with any ponies you've rescued.

With so many non-pony plushes taking up space in the machine, it won't be an easy task. You've only got $5 to work with. And some of the most powerful ponies have been strategically placed in hard to reach positions. It seems like it would take at least one dollar for the claw to nab some of them.

Which ponies do you try to save?

Edited February 13, 2018 by KillerKingBakudan

[The Kaeya Simp 13,989]

11 minutes ago, KillerKingBakudan said:

The princesses decide to have another friendship festival. The Storm King's death has convinced every pony that nothing can possibly go wrong with this one.

But it all goes to shit anyway. You've been invited to Canterlot, and upon arriving, you immediately discover that all the ponies at the festival have vanished. What you find instead is a portal. You figure you might as well step in; you're the only human there, so for all you know, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash could be setting up some elaborate prank with a nice surprise at the end.

On the other side of the portal, you find yourself in an arcade. And at the center is a claw machine.



Filled with pony plushes. All of which bare a remarkably similar likeness to the ponies you've been wanting to visit.

In all serious, there are no duplicates as you see here. There's only one plush representing each and every pony from Equestria that you can name. In addition, you notice what appears to be an even mix of NON-pony plushes, including characters from Nintendo properties, Disney characters, Hatchimals, and other creatures you've never even heard of.

It doesn't take long before you hear a mysterious voice addressing you over the arcade's intercom. The voice explains that the plushes you see in the machine in fact ARE your pony friends from Canterlot. This asshole has apparently cast a spell to abduct them all, turn them into toys and imprison them in this machine for you to rescue.... with your rather limited cash on hand. Once a pony has been removed from the pile and deposited into the prize shoot, she will revert back to her normal, conscious pony self.

At first, you respond in anger and attempt to break the glass. But it's protected by a force field. Nothing you do to the machine will work. You even try to reach into the machine from the prize shoot to grab a pony, but each time you do, you get a brief electrical shock. You then hear the voice threaten to have you arrested if you continue to try damaging his property or stealing the prizes. So it's clear that you'll only be able to save just a handful of ponies at most.

The voice also states that the arcade will be closing in ten minutes. Once those minutes are up, you'll be teleported right back to Equestria along with any ponies you've rescued.

With so many non-pony plushes taking up space in the machine, it won't be an easy task. You've only got $5 to work with. And some of the most powerful ponies have been strategically placed in hard to reach positions. It seems like it would take at least one dollar for the claw to nab some of them.

Which ponies do you try to save?

So I've got around 20 plays, If I could get 2 on each play, that equals 40 ponies,

I save the princesses, the mane 6, Shining Armour, Starlight, Discord, Trixie, Derpy, The Cake Family and 32 other Ponies

[Libra 11,691]

4 hours ago, Sherbert Music-Guard, Scoffer of Shortbread said:

So I've got around 20 plays, If I could get 2 on each play, that equals 40 ponies,

I save the princesses, the mane 6, Shining Armour, Starlight, Discord, Trixie, Derpy, The Cake Family and 32 other Ponies

Sounds good. But what if its one of those claw machines?

you know, the ones that you spend $20 on and still cant get anything becauze the machine is rigged to high heaven?

[The Kaeya Simp 13,989]

Just now, Fennekin said:

Sounds good. But what if its one of those claw machines?

you know, the ones that you spend $20 on and still cant get anything becauze the machine is rigged to high heaven?

 

 

Well, Equestria is BUCKED

[Denim&Venöm 19,186]

None. We all know those things are rigged. Why would disembodied prankster voice give me a shot of winning even one pony, when they can keep them all and take everyone's money? 

Best thing to do is snag a job as maintenance guy, claim to fix the machine, break everypony and everyone else out and just dump my salary into the cash collector to make things even. 

[Sparklefan1234 171,930]

I would try to save:

1. Twilight Sparkle 
2. Rarity 
3. Applejack

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

Those damned things are rigged, I'd probably spend all my savings and only get the head of a random pony.

[Flutterstep 47,101]

I'd try to get a 2-in-1 grab and hope it's Fluttershy and Vinyl. Assuming it's one of those machines that can't even get a grip, I'd try to flip the machine over and get them out. I'd most likey fail and get arrested, but at least I tried

[Nye 1,652]

I would get the sponge creature whom I don’t recognize, (spongebob) because he can get everything in a claw machin in one play. So I would give him my leftover money to save them all.

Edited February 11, 2018 by Nye

[ZethaPonderer 2,199]

I would start a massive lawsuit against the prankster to release all the ponies, set them free, and take all his money in the process to leave him broke and worthless. 

 

Simple. No need to play his game when you can simply bust his ass to the authorities with all the evidence that’ll be stacked against him.

[King of Canterlot 9,603]

Considering how rigged those claw machines are against you, you really would only be able to save a small handful of ponies, but nonetheless I would attempt to save-

1. Rainbow Dash

2. Princess Luna

3. Spitfire 

4. Twilight Sparkle 

[PoisonClaw 8,164]

If I can only save a few ponies, my first priority would probably be Twilight. Assuming she still has her magic after being rescued, she can figure out a spell or solution to get the others out. In the meantime, I would try for Celestia, as Equestria would still need a princess and Celestia's presence would do to keep Equestria from devolving into chaos (Sorry Discord).

Thirdly, I'd go for Spike. As he has opposable digits, he might have a hidden talent in winning against a claw machine. Plus, as a last resort, he could go to the Dragon Lands (assuming Ember isn't trapped in the claw machine of course) and ask them for help. Lastly, I would try for both Fluttershy and Rarity. No real reason, I just couldn't bear to see them trapped in there like that. 

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

1 hour ago, ZethaPonderer said:

I would start a massive lawsuit against the prankster to release all the ponies, set them free, and take all his money in the process to leave him broke and worthless. 

 

Simple. No need to play his game when you can simply bust his ass to the authorities with all the evidence that’ll be stacked against him.

A lawsuit for a grand scale kidnapping where all the victims have been turned into stuffed toys and held for ransom in a claw machine? Yeah, I'm sure they'd love to see that evidence. Lol.

[ZethaPonderer 2,199]

30 minutes ago, KillerKingBakudan said:

A lawsuit for a grand scale kidnapping where all the victims have been turned into stuffed toys and held for ransom in a claw machine? Yeah, I'm sure they'd love to see that evidence. Lol.

Why not? There have been lawsuits about ridiculous things such as the US vs. 64,695 pounds of Shark Fins or the Christopher Roller vs David Copperfield case about Defying the Laws of Physics and Roller having a God complex.

 

Plus, it’ll open up a whole bunch of conspiracy theories which I love btw surrounding this case and pretty much put the Prankster under serious scrutiny for the rest of his life. He better come clean or else.

[Mystic Brush 103]

*gasp*

Don't worry Flutters i'll save you!

 

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

From my knowledge of claw machines, the villain would've probably set the payout rate to nearly impossible. Therefore, the only way to win is reverse the changes and make it so that every play is 100% guaranteed to make a grab. This means, I would have to create a device that can temporarily interrupt the flow of dark magic, which means that during my changing I can maybe nab a few ponies while I can. Knowing the size of the claw, it is possible to win two ponies at a time. The difficulty is getting the claw to land at the right spot since the claw can spin on its way down to grab the prizes. Sometimes it spins in your favor and other times it spins in a place where you don't want it. But seeing that this is an up-across machine, gotta be extra careful here. You can only go up once and across once, and once yo release that across button, down goes the claw. It's very quick too. As stated before, there is a slim chance you can nab two ponies in one play. Best spot to nail this is if you aim right for the sides of the ponies, anatomically, around their mid ribcage. Seeing that this machine is UK, rounding by conversion, I can get up to 4 plays for $1. Multiply that by 5 and I get 20 plays. If a blessing strikes and I get extremely lucky, I can save up to 40 ponies if I end up getting 2 in 1. This means I can save:

• The Mane 6
• The Three Other Princesses
• Shining Armor and Flurry Heart
• The CMC
• The Cakes
• Lyra and Bon Bon
• Octavia and Vinyl
• Derpy Hooves
• Dr. Whooves
• Spike
• Starlight Glimmer
• Sunset Shimmer
• The Pillars
• Daring Do
• Gilda, Gabby and Greta
• Thorax
• Ember

But realistically, I could save half of that since it will be very difficult dealing with that up and across claw. So therefore, 20 plays=20 ponies saved. 

 

Edited March 3, 2018 by C. Thunder Dash

[KillerKingBakudan 702]

19 hours ago, C. Thunder Dash said:

From my knowledge of claw machines, the villain would've probably set the payout rate to nearly impossible. Therefore, the only way to win is reverse the changes and make it so that every play is 100% guaranteed to make a grab. This means, I would have to create a device that can temporarily interrupt the flow of dark magic, which means that during my changing I can maybe nab a few ponies while I can. Knowing the size of the claw, it is possible to win two ponies at a time. The difficulty is getting the claw to land at the right spot since the claw can spin on its way down to grab the prizes. Sometimes it spins in your favor and other times it spins in a place where you don't want it. But seeing that this is an up-across machine, gotta be extra careful here. You can only go up once and across once, and once yo release that across button, down goes the claw. It's very quick too. As stated before, there is a slim chance you can nab two ponies in one play. Best spot to nail this is if you aim right for the sides of the ponies, anatomically, around their mid ribcage. Seeing that this machine is UK, rounding by conversion, I can get up to 4 plays for $1. Multiply that by 5 and I get 20 plays. If a blessing strikes and I get extremely lucky, I can save up to 40 ponies if I end up getting 2 in 1. This means I can save:

• The Mane 6
• The Three Other Princesses
• Shining Armor and Flurry Heart
• The CMC
• The Cakes
• Lyra and Bon Bon
• Octavia and Vinyl
• Derpy Hooves
• Dr. Whooves
• Spike
• Starlight Glimmer
• Sunset Shimmer
• The Pillars
• Daring Do
• Gilda, Gabby and Greta
• Thorax
• Ember

But realistically, I could save half of that since it will be very difficult dealing with that up and across claw. So therefore, 20 plays=20 ponies saved. 

 

Seems like a good plan, though the execution would largely depend on how you got that device on the machine to tamper with the magic protecting it. It would take a lot of research to develop, and it'd be difficult to accomplish without a pony that's both really knowledgeable on magic and hasn't already been captured.

Plus, the ponies aren't the only ones in the machine. There's a lot of other random plushes the claw could pick up, so you'd also have to be very careful not to blow your 2-for-1 grabs and get something you didn't want. For that reason, even after adjusting the payout rate and having extreme precision on where you lower the claw, you'd be lucky to save more than 20 ponies.

[kaiser5578 340]

Luna (I mean seriously Celestia gets beaten by everything nowadays and ignores Sombra so Twilight can go on a field trip)

Trixie (best pony)

Discord (he breaks reality, turns the trickster into toenail clippings and bad fanfiction, and releases everypony by overriding the spell)

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

12 hours ago, KillerKingBakudan said:

Seems like a good plan, though the execution would largely depend on how you got that device on the machine to tamper with the magic protecting it. It would take a lot of research to develop, and it'd be difficult to accomplish without a pony that's both really knowledgeable on magic and hasn't already been captured.

Plus, the ponies aren't the only ones in the machine. There's a lot of other random plushes the claw could pick up, so you'd also have to be very careful not to blow your 2-for-1 grabs and get something you didn't want. For that reason, even after adjusting the payout rate and having extreme precision on where you lower the claw, you'd be lucky to save more than 20 ponies.

The device emits a frequency that pierces through the magic. It is just like those high frequency devices used in some Marvel movies that are used to disable a power or ability temporarily. However, this device is much stronger. Still, your got a major point on precision. However...there is one thing I can also add. If I happen to free Twilight, and use my device to alter the dark magic that returns her to her normal pony self, then perhaps she can counter the spell...and then maybe there's a shot at saving everypony.  

[SummerHaven 49]

Knowing my luck with these things, I’d probably fail to save any of them. I would go for starlight and the mane six and if I somehow managed to rescue them I’d try to save Zecora, Spike and Luna.

[StormBlaze 992]

Id fight hard to get Soarin out of there first, because (in one multiverse) he is Stormy's special pone, then work on saving either Twilight or Celestia.... you know, someone with power and knowledge on how to reverse this curse and save Equestria as usual. If I could save Soarin and was unable to get the Princesses, at least I would have my fave Wonderbolt there to talk to and roam empty Equestria with.

[EpicEnergy 23,222]

I'd save the most powerful ponies so that we could all work together to overthrow the evil villain who did that!

[HedonismBot 241]

As others have said, the main priority should be assembling a team to find a way to save whatever ponies you can't. First I'd start with Discord for his reality-warping power (which it seems includes interdimensional travel), then the foremost magic experts:

Celestia, Twilight, Starswirl, Starlight, Sunburst

Then I'd get the other princesses (Luna and Cadance) for raw magic power.

Then some fighters to counter whatever the voice was referring to when it threatened to have you arrested if you tamper with the machine:

Rockhoof, Tempest, Shining Armor, Flash Magnus, maybe a yak and/or dragon if they're also in there.

Then the rest of the Mane Six.

 

[Pentium100 2,147]

I don't really remember the last time I used a claw machine.

Hopefully, I can get ponies that would be useful in trying to get the rest out.

In order:

Twilight (if I manage to save only one, it will be Twilight)
Then listen to Twilight's advice. Or, if she is unable to offer advice on what to do next:

Discord (special powers)
Starlight (probably second most powerful in magic ability)
Pinkie (she has some special abilities)
Starswirl (more magic)
The rest of the mane 6 probably by order of which appears to be the easiest to get (maybe the Elements will be useful).
The remaining alicorns for their power in order - Celestia, Luna, Cadance
Sunburst (research ability)
Shining Armor (protection force fields)
Rockhoof (physical strength)

[MysticWolficorn 77]

I would save discord because he can get them all out once hes out.